On the night of May 30, a series of storms, including tornadoes, swept through the Central Great Plains and Upper Mississippi Valley. In Minnesota, heavily affected communities included Eagle Bend, Clarissa and Browerville, where over 100 buildings were damaged. In South Dakota, a tornado impacted the area around the city of Brandon, severely damaging Beaver Valley Lutheran Church in Valley Springs.
Lutheran Disaster Response is accompanying both the Northwestern Minnesota Synod and the South Dakota Synod as they respond to the tornadoes. The Northwestern Minnesota Synod will provide basic necessities, including food, clothing, cash assistance and temporary shelter, to impacted community members in the Eagle Bend area. As damage continues to be assessed, the synod will also engage in home repair, trauma counseling and replacement of farming equipment. Such activities are being coordinated by Faith Lutheran Church in Eagle Bend in partnership with other churches in the area. The South Dakota Synod is working with Beaver Valley Lutheran Church to assess its physical damage and begin rebuilding and recovery efforts. The grant from Lutheran Disaster Response will be used for new computers and office supplies, a new copier, storage units and advertising in several publications to inform people of the changes to upcoming community events and worship services.
Gifts to Lutheran Disaster Response designated for “U.S. tornadoes" will be used entirely (100%) to assist those affected by tornadoes. Together, we can support those who are on the long road to recovery. Please give today.
Other ways to give
By mail
Make checks payable to
Lutheran Disaster Response,
Write "U.S. Tornadoes" on your check's memo line and send to:
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
ELCA Gift Processing Center
P.O. Box 1809
Merrifield, VA 22116-8009
By phone
800-638-3522
Monday through Friday,
8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. central time.
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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. Your gifts are tax deductible as allowed by law. The ELCA’s tax identification number is 41-1568278.